1001 Albums Summary

Listening statistics & highlights

392
Albums Rated
3.21
Average Rating
36%
Complete
697 albums remaining

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

2010
Favorite Decade
Blues
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
24
5-Star Albums
8
1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

Top Styles

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Bitte Orca
Dirty Projectors
5 2.69 +2.31
D.O.A. the Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle
Throbbing Gristle
4 1.89 +2.11
Kimono My House
Sparks
5 3.06 +1.94
Pretenders
Pretenders
5 3.34 +1.66
Either Or
Elliott Smith
5 3.4 +1.6
A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Coldplay
5 3.43 +1.57
Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
5 3.5 +1.5
Brothers
The Black Keys
5 3.53 +1.47
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
5 3.54 +1.46
OK
Talvin Singh
4 2.56 +1.44

You Love Less Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
1 3.27 -2.27
Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine
2 3.97 -1.97
At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
2 3.96 -1.96
Ghosteen
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
1 2.95 -1.95
Tical
Method Man
1 2.94 -1.94
Exodus
Bob Marley & The Wailers
2 3.94 -1.94
I Against I
Bad Brains
1 2.93 -1.93
Roots
Sepultura
1 2.78 -1.78
Dummy
Portishead
2 3.71 -1.71
Violator
Depeche Mode
2 3.7 -1.7

Artists

Favorites

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Beatles 5 4.8
Pink Floyd 3 4.67
Radiohead 4 4.25
Simon & Garfunkel 3 4.33

Least Favorites

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 3 1.67
Public Image Ltd. 2 1.5

5-Star Albums (24)

View Album Wall

Popular Reviews

good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar

I really enjoyed this album. Great lyrical moments and really interesting melodies and riffs (especially for a rap album). I felt like I got a really great glimpse and understanding into Lamar's life and the challenges of growing up in an area where gang activity is so prevalent and complex to avoid. I think I'll listen to this one again multiple times and continue to discover new moments and lyrics every time.

A Love Supreme by John Coltrane

This was a really crisp and musical album. I'm not very well-versed in jazz, but the riffs and solos in the songs were fun and bouncy, all while blending into the chord progressions really beautifully. I hadn't listened to Coltrane before, even though I'd heard his name, so it was a really cool piece of music history to listen to him. I also took the opportunity to read about his life and career and it's so clear that he lived and breathed jazz and his passion for music was the reason his work was so groundbreaking.

1-Star Albums (8)

All Ratings (392)

Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel
Jan 05 2024

Mrs. Robinson -- classic and delightful. America is covered by First Aid Kit and it's cool to see the origin story.

Let's Stay Together by Al Green
Jan 08 2024

GREAT morning vibes. This album is scratching an itch I didn't know I had. "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" is so devastatingly sad :(

Zombie by Fela Kuti
Jan 09 2024

Not what my usual style is, but interesting music to have on in the background. I also appreciate the Nigerian(?) protest back story on this album.

Rio by Duran Duran
Jan 10 2024
Jan 11 2024

The album starting off with a baby crying is pretty weird, ngl. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this album. Listening to rap that wasn't about drugs/sex/degrading women was refreshing and the lyrics were fun and clever.

We Are Family by Sister Sledge
Jan 15 2024

It was fine, but it felt more dated than the other albums we've heard. Also, the titular song, "We Are Family," is so overplayed at family-friendly events that it almost seems like a parody of itself at this point.

Remain In Light by Talking Heads
Jan 16 2024

It was fine. I can appreciate the musicality and vibe they were going for, but it didn't capture me. I *do* appreciate "Once In a Lifetime" though ("This is not my beautiful house... as the days go by...")

Tical by Method Man
Jan 17 2024

The violent lyrics made it impossible for me to enjoy this album. Not my thing.

The Stranger by Billy Joel
Jan 18 2024

This album has some great songs on it: - Movin Out - Vienna - Only the Good Die Young - She's Always a Woman That said, I don't think this album was necessarily "ground-breaking" or adding anything extraordinarily new to my repertoire. It was between a 3 and a 4 but ultimately leaned towards a three.

The Pleasure Principle by Gary Numan
Jan 19 2024

I liked this more than I thought I would. It's great music to listen to during work, and I definitely will listen to it again.

xx by The xx
Jan 22 2024

The first two songs were great, but the rest of the album kind of blended together for me.

Kid A by Radiohead
Jan 23 2024

Just wow. I've never really listened to Radiohead but this album was amazing. It evoked really intense emotions that aren't usually addressed in albums and every song was unique and beautiful while also maintaining cohesiveness as an album.

The Contino Sessions by Death In Vegas
Jan 25 2024

the album had a fun vibe, though, especially "Dirge"

At Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash
Jan 29 2024

Conceptually, it was really interesting that Cash wanted to perform a live album at a prison, but it meant the set list felt like it catered and pandered a lot to toxic masculinity. The number of references to violence towards women and animals made the album unenjoyable. The songs that didn't include these topics were interesting, and I enjoyed the story quality of the lyrics, but the light scattering of these songs in between violent ones wasn't enough. I also was pretty "meh" about Cash's voice and musicality. Just not my style.

Bossanova by Pixies
Jan 31 2024

Too grunge for my taste. I read that the lyrics were about interesting topics, but the gravelly tone of the singing meant I couldn't really understand much. This just isn't a style that resonates very well for me.

My Generation by The Who
Feb 02 2024

Fun album! Felt like a mashup of the Beatles with something more "punk rock" like the Ramones.

At Newport 1960 by Muddy Waters
Feb 05 2024

I enjoyed it, and it was great to listen to an album by someone whose name I've heard for years but never listened to. I don't anticipate listening to it often, which is why I ultimately went "3" instead of "4", but it was close!

Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes
Feb 06 2024

I went through a brief "Fleet Foxes" phase several years ago, but since then, all the songs on this album blend together and sound the same to me. It's an enjoyable listen, but not one I anticipate gravitating to.

American Gothic by David Ackles
Feb 07 2024

Interesting style -- sort of a blend of Sinatra with something darker/more sinister. Several songs had really interesting moments, and I enjoyed "Oh, California!", but overall the styling and singer's voice didn't resonate with me.

Queen II by Queen
Feb 08 2024

Great album. I thought the two sides (white and black) were unique from each other and I loved that there were songs on each side that represented different points of view (White Queen, March of the Black Queen.) There were some riffs that felt like they were clearly inspiration for some of Queen's more popular songs later on ("Bicycle" and "Bohemian Rhapsody").

The Doors by The Doors
Feb 09 2024

Good album. Could definitely hear aspects that the Beatles were influenced by. I thought "psychedelic" rock wouldn't be my cup of tea, but this was fun.

Rage Against The Machine by Rage Against The Machine
Feb 12 2024

I appreciate the lyrics and value this group brings to the music scene and I can totally imagine really enjoying them when in an intense/angry mood. I don't get angry often though, so I probably won't listen to this much.

Moving Pictures by Rush
Feb 13 2024

Eh, not really my thing. Not bad though.

Live / Dead by Grateful Dead
Feb 15 2024

Grateful Dead ratings will unfortunately always suffer from the fact that it was the band my family played *nonstop* when I was a kid. They're too ingratiated with memories of long boring family road trips for me to listen objectively. With that being said, it was a pleasant-sounding album, and in the moments when I forgot who I was listening to, it was fun.

Exodus by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Feb 21 2024
Connected by Stereo MC's
Feb 23 2024

Good 90s hip hop album. I found myself bopping along to several of the songs.

Modern Kosmology by Jane Weaver
Mar 06 2024

I found that the album kept slipping into the background of whatever I was doing so I didn't thoroughly listen to it, even though I tried. It was fine, but since it didn't really capture my attention it's a 3.

Metal Box by Public Image Ltd.
Mar 08 2024

I tried to like this and understand it. I even gave it a second, more-dedicated, listen. But it just sounds like noise and unpleasant chaos to me. Didn't enjoy any of it.

Mar 11 2024

I'd never really listened to this album before but holy crap. Loved every moment of it.

Doggystyle by Snoop Dogg
Mar 12 2024

"For little kids growing up in the ghettos," he said, "it's easy to get into the wrong types of things, especially gangbanging and selling drugs. I've seen what that was like, and I don't glorify it, but I don't preach. I bring it to them rather than have them go find out about it for themselves." Nope, Snoop. You missed the mark on this 1000% I am torn on this album because the musicality and Snoops vocal style is phenomenal. I love the tonality, playfulness, and unpredictability of his rhythms. Based on that alone this album would be a 5. However, the lyrics the lyrics the lyrics. Ughhhh why? Misogynistic, overly sexual, and violent. I have to knock several rating points off for that.

Suzanne Vega by Suzanne Vega
Mar 13 2024

There were some stand out songs ("The Queen and the Soldier"), but other songs weren't my cup of tea. The first song in particular was weak ("Cracking").

Mar 14 2024

It was alright. R&B isn't a genre that really speaks to me, so this album faced an uphill battle.

Hot Rats by Frank Zappa
Mar 18 2024

Great album. Interesting and unique instrumentals with lots to say. Would be a 4.5/5 if I could do half stars.

Pink Moon by Nick Drake
Mar 19 2024

Great album. It was almost a 5. I think it would have been a 5 if I had listened to this one in the right mood. I'm a big fan of Alexi Murdoch and heard how heavily he was influenced by Nick Drake in this album. It's cool to discover the foundation to an artist I like, because now I have another one :D

Ghosteen by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Mar 20 2024

Oof. This was like listening to beat poetry from someone whose mother should have told them they couldn't sing, all lumped on top of lackluster instrumentals.

Roxy Music by Roxy Music
Mar 21 2024

Fun album! It was surprising to me that it was produced in the early 70's because it took stylistic influences from so many places. Even though I enjoyed listening to it (I gave it 4 listens), it's a 3 for me because no single song felt truly "memorable" to me. I'll probably listen to the album again though.

Sulk by The Associates
Mar 22 2024

"Arrogance Gave Him Up" is an absolutely great opening track. It was entirely instrumental, and it got me really excited by the album. Unfortunately, it was the only standout track for me, and the others were either middling to poor.

Rock 'N Soul by Solomon Burke
Mar 25 2024

Fun album with a classic doowop vintage vibe. Great morning listen.

Pyromania by Def Leppard
Mar 27 2024

Sorry, heavy metal fans. The combination of screamy vocals and heavy metal with a hint of blues(?) just didn't work for me.

Rattus Norvegicus by The Stranglers
Mar 28 2024

This one was really mixed for me. Lyrically, some of the songs were really aggressive towards women (i.e., "Sometimes" and "Peaches"), but there were other songs that were about interesting topics ("Goodbye Toulouse", "Down in the Sewer"). Musically, there were some really fun punk bangers, but there were a few others where things were a little slow, and the lead singer's vocals dragged down the song. I'm glad I listed to The Stranglers, but don't think they'll be a punk band I listen to much compared to some others.

Public Image: First Issue by Public Image Ltd.
Mar 29 2024

I liked this better than Metal Box, but still not something I'll listen to again

Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins
Apr 02 2024

I was pleasantly surprised by this album. In general, "grunge" isn't a genre I gravitate towards, but this album was cohesive, moving, and fun. I also enjoyed the lead singer's vocals a lot in the context of the songs and the album.

Marquee Moon by Television
Apr 03 2024

I enjoyed some of the musical riffs, but much of the album didn't catch me. Also not a huge fan of the lead singer's voice. Enjoyable listen overall, though.

I really enjoyed the experimental instrumental parts of this album. It was almost like listening to a piece of art instead of music. I didn't care much for the vocals of the lead singer, but most of the tracks used this type of vocal work sparingly or not at all. Overall, an interesting album from a genre I'm curious to learn more about.

Talking Heads 77 by Talking Heads
Apr 05 2024

This is the third talking heads album we've had in 60 albums so I think I have talking heads fatigue. Still a fun listen though

Catch A Fire by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Apr 08 2024

I liked this more than Exodus

good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
Apr 09 2024

I really enjoyed this album. Great lyrical moments and really interesting melodies and riffs (especially for a rap album). I felt like I got a really great glimpse and understanding into Lamar's life and the challenges of growing up in an area where gang activity is so prevalent and complex to avoid. I think I'll listen to this one again multiple times and continue to discover new moments and lyrics every time.

After The Gold Rush by Neil Young
Apr 10 2024

"Birds" is a forgotten favorite of mine -- I'm glad this album helped me rediscover it!

Pictures At An Exhibition by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Apr 11 2024

I played several songs from the orchestral version of Pictures At An Exhibition with my high school band, so this album was nostalgic for me. It was interesting how the album started fairly close to the original source material and then seemed to deviate farther and farther into "rock" as it progressed. Also "Nutrocker" is an absolute Christmas bop and I think it should be on way more Christmas playlists.

Phaedra by Tangerine Dream
Apr 12 2024

Eh, the only times this album struck me was when it was very discordant and anxiety-inducing. Probably won't listen to this one again.

Aqualung by Jethro Tull
Apr 15 2024

It was fine. Fun at times, and now I finally know what my step dad was talking about with Jethro Tull's flute when I was a flute player in high school.

The Man Machine by Kraftwerk
Apr 16 2024

I had mixed feelings about this album. On the one hand, I appreciate the ground-breaking work they did for the electronica genre, but on the other hand I think that because they were basically the father of the genre it almost feels like a parody of itself at this point because it's so influential and is indirectly referenced through so much of modern content. I really enjoyed the instrumental/musical side of this album, but where it lost me was the lyrics because they felt really dated. With themes like "metropolis" "neon" and "robots" that were probably really futuristic at the time, now they are just commonplace and what we view as people from the 60's and 70's as thinking the future would be like.

Bad by Michael Jackson
Apr 17 2024

A fun pop album, with so many enduringly well-known songs. Sometimes the album felt a little too earnest, dramatic, and cheesy, especially with songs like "Man in the Mirror". It's still damn catchy and I was 100% bopping along to it, but probably not an album I'll gravitate towards very often.

Darkdancer by Les Rythmes Digitales
Apr 18 2024

Eh, it was fine I guess. Nothing really stood out to me, good or bad. We've also had a recent onslaught of electronica albums so it's possible I have electronica fatigue and/or this was just a weaker album compared to others we've heard recently.

Apr 19 2024

It was loud and I really didn't care for the main singer's (yeller's?) vocals. Instrumentals could have been interesting at times, but they got lost in the cacophony of the rest of the noise.

Off The Wall by Michael Jackson
Apr 22 2024

It was fine. I enjoyed the vibe of this album a little more than "Bad" on the whole. This album had a way stronger disco influence to it, which made it feel more dated than most of Jackson's biggest hits from other albums.

Fear Of A Black Planet by Public Enemy
Apr 23 2024

Really enjoyed this one. There's a balance of very insightful and pointed comments on race and politics while still having an album that can invoke both anger and amusement in the listener. I was also really impressed by the sound. 90's hip hop was still discovering and exploring the genre and, therefore, sometimes fell victim to redundant beats, but this album was musically interesting and ahead of its time.

Lady In Satin by Billie Holiday
Apr 24 2024

Classic voice and era. Nice listen to relax and have good vibes.

Blood, Sweat & Tears by Blood, Sweat & Tears
Apr 25 2024

I really liked the musicality of this one. The jazz + rock was a really interesting vibe. It was also intriguing to read about the band and why I've never heard of them before. This album won a grammy for "Album of the Year" over albums like Abbey Road, but the band faced huge backlash after doing a tour behind the Iron Curtain. Glad that the 1001 project helped me discover them!

Here, My Dear by Marvin Gaye
Apr 26 2024

Great morning listen. Gaye has a phenomenally smooth voice that is a delight to listen to. None of the songs really captured me individually, but the overall vibe was nice, which is why this album is a 3 instead of a 4 for me. I definitely see myself listening to this on a lazy Sunday morning with a cup of coffee.

Buena Vista Social Club by Buena Vista Social Club
Apr 29 2024

Fun music that's a joy to listen to. Lots of traditional latin beats and riffs.

Your Arsenal by Morrissey
May 01 2024

"Your Arsenal reflected Morrissey's lament for what he regarded as the decline of British culture in the face of increasing Americanisation.[127] He told one interviewer that "everything is informed by American culture—everyone under fifty speaks American—and that's sad. We once had a strong identity and now that's gone completely"." Sorry, Morrissey, but this American loves the album. I also just get an indescribable amount of joy from the song title "We Hate When Our Friends Become Successful" because it taps into the pettiness of humans so well.

The Real Thing by Faith No More
May 02 2024

It was alright. Probably closer to a 2.5 for me because it was on the "louder"/metal side of rock, which isn't usually my thing. I didn't mind the lead vocalists voice as much as other metal albums though and some of the songs were fun and catchy.

Stardust by Willie Nelson
May 03 2024

This album was like a cozy, comforting hug of calmness and familiarity. Like when you're a kid and you're crying because of a scraped knee and then your mom kisses it to make it better.

May 06 2024

Loved the fun, playful lyrics. Similar in style to the Beatles, but different enough to have their own unique take on things. Will definitely listen to more Kinks in the future.

Paranoid by Black Sabbath
May 07 2024

Not a genre I usually enjoy (in fact I dragged my feet on listening to this one because I wasn't ready for metal), but it was actually a fun album. Great musicality and lots of instrumental talent. I probably won't listen to this one again because of the genre, which is why it's a 3, but on musicality alone it would be a 4.

Loveless by My Bloody Valentine
May 08 2024

The opening of this album made me nervous that I would hate it, but then the album chilled out and grew into itself. Decent chill vibe to listen to during work.

Heroes to Zeros by The Beta Band
May 09 2024

This album reminded me of another band I like, "Django Django". The vocals are distinct, and the subtly electronic melodies are soothing and ethereal.

Beautiful Freak by Eels
May 10 2024

Hated the album cover, loved the album itself. I've not generally enjoyed 90's rock, but this was a really good blend of surfish rock with a slight hint of grunge that resonated really well for me. Also, big shoutout to Shrek.

The Cars by The Cars
May 13 2024

This was such a decade-bending album. Some tracks and bars felt like the 60's, some the 70's, and some the 80's. It felt very much like this album influenced a lot of the 80's key defining stylistic features. Since I'm not usually the biggest fan of the 80's, that was almost a knock against this album in a "So it's THEIR fault!" mentality, but even so I can't deny that this album was great. Every song was a bop and had a lot to say.

Chirping Crickets by Buddy Holly & The Crickets
May 14 2024

This was a solid 3 for me. I could tell it was really influential and popular for its time, but is probably too dated for me to enjoy super regularly. I did like hearing "Not Fade Away", which I've previously only heard done by the Grateful Dead.

Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath
May 15 2024

I thought "Paranoid" was a stronger album, but this one was still interesting. There is very clearly some musical talent in the riffs, which was the standout of the album for me.

Calenture by The Triffids
May 16 2024

This album wasn't good. From the very first song, my main impression was of over-the-top cheese. As songs ticked by, I formed a theory that every song on this album has one of three uses: 1. Drunken karaoke where some rando hit the wrong song button. 2. 90's movie montage background music (think of the cliche "running to the airport to try and confess your love") 3. Horribly cheesy 80's music videos in black and white with the singer appearing to be really angsty, looking off in the distance. To make it 100% obvious, none of these scenarios are things that a musical group should aspire to.

Music Has The Right To Children by Boards of Canada
May 17 2024

Some of the songs were interesting, but others made me a bit uncomfortable. Listening to 3 minutes of a little kid slowly saying "I... love... you.." was particularly unsettling. All in all, a decent album to listen to while working, but not anything overly special for me.

Play by Moby
May 20 2024

I thought this album would be a "4" after I started listening to it the first time. I listened to the first half in my car and it had a lot of great emotion behind the songs. However I didn't feel as strongly about the second half. When I listened to the album again, it was much less evocative for me, so it bumped down to a "3"

War by U2
May 21 2024

I liked this one a lot more than "Joshua Tree", but ultimately don't see myself listening to it much.

Foo Fighters by Foo Fighters
May 22 2024

Maybe this project is making me a convert to the 90's, because this is one of several 90's albums recently that I've really enjoyed. The songs were fun and felt relatable.

Red Headed Stranger by Willie Nelson
May 23 2024

A palatable county album. I love Nelson's voice for this type of music, so that was the standout for me.

Roots by Sepultura
May 24 2024

Whewwww boy. This was a big ole' "NOPE." It was loud. It was long. When the album started and my ear drums started bleeding, I thought to myself "Am I enjoying this? No. Would I regret turning this album off and not finishing it? No." But then my lovely husband GUILTED me into finishing it, saying, "I don't think you can rate the album if you don't finish it. ItS nOt In ThE SpIrT oF ThE PrOjeCttttt." Fine, Jeff. I finished the album. I'll bill you for the permanent ear damage I incurred. *As an aside, if I were to say anything nice about this album, I at least did appreciate the Brazilian/Latin instrumentation and beats that were sprinkled from time to time. They were fun and broke up the monotony of screaming chaos.

Live At Leeds by The Who
May 27 2024

Great sound quality for a live album. I think I prefer the earlier Who work to this, but the "My Generation" medley was a standout for me.

Brothers by The Black Keys
May 28 2024

I had a big Black Keys phase when I lived in Mississippi, but I was more into El Camino at the time (since it had recently been released). Now that I have revisited the band, Brothers is SUCH a tight, cohesive, and phenomenal album. Every song is filled with feeling, danceability, and soul, but also manages to keep each song feeling unique and valuable to the album as a whole.

Risque by CHIC
May 29 2024

I was going to rate this one a "2", but then we closed on a house, drank champagne, and danced like madmen around the living room to this album. The danceability bumped it up to a well-deserved 3. Before the living room dance party, I thought this was the best disco album we've had to date. The songs are interesting, and the vocals are delightful. Honestly, it's just the genre that doesn't work well for me overall because the strong 2+4 drum beats are persistent and glaring in every song.

The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails
May 30 2024

This album grew on me the further into it I got. After the first song I thought for sure that it would be a 2 star album for me, but the song variation and themes worked really well. Not every song is my cup of tea, but there are some fun ones.

The Coral by The Coral
May 31 2024

This was a fun and funky album. Every song felt like it was in a completely different style/genre (beach, reggae, polka, ska, rock?!!), but the overarching album still worked because the singer's voice remained constant, and many of the songs had a sort of funk, sinister New Orleans vibe.

British Steel by Judas Priest
Jun 03 2024

This album wasn't good. It felt really cheesy and overly dramatic. I didn't hate it enough to give it a "1", but it was a close call.

Jun 04 2024

Blowin' in the Wind A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall Don't Think Twice It's All Right Oxford Town It's a great album with so many standout songs. I'm not the biggest harmonica fan, but Dylan's songwriting more than makes up for it.

New Forms by Roni Size
Jun 05 2024

Look, it wasn't *bad*, but it was LONG af. 20 songs at 6 minutes a piece that all sounded the same. Like, I genuinely couldn't tell you one song that stood out from the rest, so much so that I imagine this was a 2-hour glimpse into what purgatory must be like. Oh, and to top it all off, the album cover was giving me serious "90's business suite software that you need a 300 page manual to start using" vibes. The one "plus" of this album was that it wasn't terrible to listen to as work background music, sort of like lofi. Maybe if there was a Lofi Girl equivalent for Drums and Bass I'd find this album more endearing.

Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Jun 06 2024

This album may have been a 3, except it was so dang long. This was much better than the other Nick Cave album we had, and his vocals on this one weren't terrible, but the songs all felt a little whiny+Pearl Jammy to me.

Technique by New Order
Jun 07 2024

This album felt disjointed. Some songs were slow 80s love ballads, and others were dance house electronica ragers, and to me, the genre jump from song to song made for an album that didn't feel cohesive. Some of the music was fun, and I enjoyed listening to several of the songs for pump-up jams.

Jun 10 2024

Very "country" rock. It was fine, but nothing felt too special, apart from the birth of the World's Longest Song (or at least how it feels), "Freebird."

The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses
Jun 11 2024

A little bit of the Smiths, a little bit of Fleet Foxes, and a lot of wonderful chill guitar. When I saw that this was a British rock album from 1989 I was bracing myself for a lot of 80's synth, but was spectacularly and pleasantly surprised by what I got instead. Every song felt fresh and unique, and just as I felt like the vibe was getting stale, the next song would come in with a completely refreshed beat and melody that rejuvenated the listening experience. I don't often give out 5s, but I'm contemplating it with this one, mostly because of how enjoyable it was *plus* the pleasant surprise. I feel like this album was extraordinarily influential for later bands.

Bayou Country by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Jun 12 2024

The blend of blues and southern rock was fun and the lead vocalist's sound worked really well for this genre. Many fun songs that I've heard before, but overall not something that I anticipate listening to much.

Slanted And Enchanted by Pavement
Jun 13 2024

This one was tricky for me to rate. I enjoyed listening to it, but not quite as much as albums by Smashing Pumpkins and Oasis, which this album reminded me of a little bit. When trying to decide whether to rate an album a 3 or a 4, I ask myself "Will I listen to this again?" and if the answer is yes, I rate it a 4. I can see myself listening to this album again, even if not very often, so that's why I ultimately went with a 4.

Electric Warrior by T. Rex
Jun 17 2024

It was a fun album at times, but didn't feel substantive. At times it felt like it was trying too hard to come off as amazing and glamorous, which ended up sounding overly dramatic or like it was too much. The song that's stood the test of time ("Bang a Gong (Get It On)") was fun, if silly. Overall, it wasn't a *bad* album, per se, but if I find myself wanting to listen to fun glam rock I've got better options.

Aladdin Sane by David Bowie
Jun 18 2024

I listened to this album several times hoping that I'd uncover something amazing. After all, it's David-effing-BOWIE. And yet... I wasn't amazed. This album felt quieter than other Bowie songs I've heard in the past—almost subtle, in a way (which is *not* a word I'd typically associate with Bowie). I got the most enjoyment from this album when I could fully listen to the ways the musical layers intertwined. There was a chaotic beauty in the playful background piano with the more prominent melodies, which hinted at the artist's powerhouse potential. And yet...nothing (apart from "Time") stood out to me. I really hope the David Bowie fans don't crucify me for feeling lukewarm about this album. Since it was the first Bowie album we've had in the 1001 project, I'm hopeful that another of his albums will strike me more.

From Elvis In Memphis by Elvis Presley
Jun 19 2024

It was really interesting to hear an Elvis album and not just one of his most popular hits randomly in a movie. This album was a blend of blues, country, and hints of rock and roll, and it was clear how influential his work was for future musicians. Some of the songs were really fun ("Only the Strong Survive" was the standout for me), but overall the trends towards country and slow songs wasn't really doing it for me.

The Next Day by David Bowie
Jun 20 2024

Reminded me a bit of Ghosteen by Nick Cave. Slow, sad, dramatic, and not something I really enjoyed listening to. Perhaps if I had more time to synthesize the lyrics I'd feel differently, but the few times through I gave it didn't resonate with me and I don't see myself listening to this again.

Sea Change by Beck
Jun 24 2024

This one was really tricky for me to rate. It was such a sad and heavy album and I didn't get a chance to listen to it with as much dedication or focus as I'd like to (plus we were moving houses when this album came up, so my music-listening headspace was all over the place). I can see this album being a 4 for me with more steeping time and under the right circumstances, but for right now it's a 3.

A Love Supreme by John Coltrane
Jun 25 2024

This was a really crisp and musical album. I'm not very well-versed in jazz, but the riffs and solos in the songs were fun and bouncy, all while blending into the chord progressions really beautifully. I hadn't listened to Coltrane before, even though I'd heard his name, so it was a really cool piece of music history to listen to him. I also took the opportunity to read about his life and career and it's so clear that he lived and breathed jazz and his passion for music was the reason his work was so groundbreaking.

Crime Of The Century by Supertramp
Jun 26 2024

Really fun album. Catchy songs, danceable melodies, and singable choruses (Bloody Well Right is a bopppp). It was glamorous and a bit like a Broadway musical -- reminded me a bit of Queen, but in a more lighthearted and less outrageous vein.

Ellington at Newport by Duke Ellington
Jun 27 2024

I love big band jazz, and this was the first one we've had in the project so it was a nice treat! The clarinet and trumpet solos were amazing because it was clear the musicians were extraordinarily talented and were using the songs as an excuse to showcase their skills (and show off!).

Heavy Weather by Weather Report
Jun 28 2024

This album didn't really speak to me. I didn't hate any of it, but none of the songs stood out. We've had several jazz albums in the past few weeks and this one felt the least original and inspired of the lot. I'm sure the musicians are talented, but I wasn't wowed by any of the solos.

Led Zeppelin III by Led Zeppelin
Jul 01 2024

Great album. It was a nearly perfect blend of folk, rock, country, and energy that I didn't know existed. I'd never really listened to Led Zeppelin before, mostly because I assumed they were more heavy metal/screamo. I had heard "Going to California" before and loved the song, but knew it wasn't really reflective of the band as a whole, but now that I've listened to an album all the way through it actually hits a lot of the same enjoyments for me. My favorite song from this album was definitely "That's the Way," which in my mind is a song about a summer romance between closeted teens and it's so sweet and sad. The album was closer to a 4.5 for me, but there were a few banjo riffs that took me out of the album's immersion a bit, but overall I was incredibly pleasantly surprised by Led Zeppelin.

Murmur by R.E.M.
Jul 02 2024

This album was fine. Nothing really stood out to me. To their credit, R.E.M.'s sound style is very distinctive and it's clear how much it influenced music for the decade after they came on the scene.

The Fat Of The Land by The Prodigy
Jul 08 2024

I knew it was going to be a hard sell when the first song was called "Smack My Bitch Up" and that was basically the only lyric. The band (group?) made the choice to have that as the opening to their album, and it's not a choice I'm a fan of. The songs were fine -- big dance electro sounds that I can see playing at a rave or something, but overall, the initial statement of the album really tainted it for me.

Band On The Run by Paul McCartney and Wings
Jul 09 2024

Nice album. It was very Paul, meaning that it was pleasant and pretty. Maybe not mind-blowing or thought-provoking, but a good sound.

Ingenue by k.d. lang
Jul 10 2024

Nice voice and some of the cabaret-styled songs were interesting and refreshing, but overall kind of one-note for me.

Liquid Swords by GZA
Jul 11 2024

I thought GZA was such a poetical lyricist. He's talking about dark stuff, but because it's creative and more about the emotion and intent than the graphic imagery it works way better than Tical, which is the only other WTC member's album we've had so far in this project. At the end of the day, the beats and subject matter weren't super captivating to me, but I'd consider giving this album another listen from time to time to catch clever lyrics I missed this time around.

Debut by Björk
Jul 15 2024

What an iconic 90's sound. It was very clear that some of my favorite current female powerhouses (Fiona Apple, Florence & the Machine) get inspiration from PJ. This album was tricky for me to rate because I think if I listened to it a lot more I'd get into it, but for a casual listen the strong 90's influence made it closer to a 3.5 rating for me since it's not my favorite sound.

Bluesbreakers by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
Jul 17 2024

It was fine. The lead vocalist's voice felt a little shakey (not in a good way) at times.

Rubber Soul by Beatles
Jul 18 2024

A Beatles album I hadn't heard before, so it was fun to listen to a new one. It's a 4/5 as far as Beatles go for me, mostly because I don't have as strong of a nostalgia factor for it compared to the White Album, Abbey Road, and Sergeant Peppers. Also not a big fan of "Run for Your Life" because it's so violent. "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" is similarly violent, but it's so over the top outrageous (and catchy) that it sort of gets a pass from me, where as "Run for Your Life" is about a very really problem of violence against women. Maybe it's a wet blanket opinion, but especially since it closed the album it didn't leave a nice taste in my mouth. Maybe I'd feel more similarly about Maxwell's Silver Hammer if it was the closer too, but we'll never know.

Innervisions by Stevie Wonder
Jul 19 2024

This album has a lot of different flairs, but Wonder shines brightest with the funk songs. His voice is smooth as freaking *butter*, and combined with the funky synths you can't help but bop along to the upbeat tracks. I'm looking forward to "The Key of Life", which undoubtedly is in this project, and I'm pretty sure that album will outperform this one ever so slightly. On a side note, it's a very interesting time to hear "He's Misstra Know It All" in American politics: "The song is essentially a long description of a know-it-all confidence trickster character who is a "man with a plan", who has a slick answer to all his critics and who has "a counterfeit dollar in his hand."" (from the song's Wikipedia page)

Jul 22 2024

I didn't love this album as much as Queen II because it didn't feel as theatrical and whimsical overall. That being said, "Bohemian Rhapsody" really can't be argued with for star quality.

Pretenders by Pretenders
Jul 23 2024

I really liked this album! Is it cringe to say that it rocked really hard? If it is, I don't care because this album rocked! The vocalist was superb, the lyrics were great, and the sort of fuzzy and unrefined sound quality of the instrumentals fit the vibe SO well. This is the punk rock style I've been waiting for in this project and I will definitely listen to this album a lot.

Oar by Alexander 'Skip' Spence
Jul 24 2024

This one was really tough to rate. Did I enjoy listening to it? Not really. But is the story behind it fascinating? 100% Here's a snippet from the Wikipedia article: "Described as "one of the most harrowing documents of pain and confusion ever made", the album was recorded after Spence had spent six months in Bellevue Hospital. Spence had been committed to Bellevue following a delusion-driven attempt to attack Moby Grape bandmates Don Stevenson and Jerry Miller with a fire axe. "At the time of Spence's release from hospital, he had written a number of songs that he wanted to record. Producer David Rubinson suggested that Spence record at the Columbia studios in Nashville, where there was a particularly patient recording engineer, Mike Figlio. Rubinson instructed Figlio to keep the tapes running at all times, to record everything that Spence did. The majority of the tracks were recorded using a three-track recorder... According to Spence, the Nashville sessions were intended by him to only be a demo, which he gave to Rubinson with the intent that the songs would be fleshed out with full production for the actual album. Instead, Rubinson had the demo recordings released by Columbia." ------ I feel like that story aligns so well with the tone of the album. It was unpolished and raw, and some of the lyrics were unhinged or glimpses into a man with deep regret and confusion in a state of total vulnerability. I'm glad I listened to it and have this in my music history knowledge, but don't think I'll listen to it again.

The Sensual World by Kate Bush
Jul 25 2024

It was fine. None of the songs really stood out to me.

Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane
Jul 29 2024

This is probably closer to a 3.5 for me, because the album felt a little dated at times with the sound and style. The 60s were great musically, but when it's overly noticeable it detracts from the songs. Of course, "White Rabbit" is a classic, and overall I'll probably listen to this album again but won't reach for it often.

Jul 30 2024

High School Me was OBSESSED with this album, in particular "The Scientist". I vividly remember playing the Youtube music video for The Scientist on endless repeat (with manual "Replay" clicks every. single. time.) as I did homework, wrote in my journal, and made art. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this album now that I'm in less-angsty times in my life, but the second half of this album absolutely kills. The standouts are "Green Eyes" and "Amsterdam" (which used to be one of my all time faves -- turns out it still is). Honorable Mention to "Warning Sign". The first half of this album isn't necessarily my favorite, but it makes the second half hit much harder so at the end of the day, I think the album as a whole works wonderfully. This is probably a 4 for me, but gets a +1 for the Nostalgia Factor

Jul 31 2024

This album was better than I was bracing myself for it to be. I thought it would be very hokey patriotic country nonsense. Instead, it was sometimes interesting and often catchy. I can definitely see how it was culturally significant. That being said, will I listen to this one again? Probably not, because it's not a genre style that really does much for me.

Rings Around The World by Super Furry Animals
Aug 01 2024

This album was all over the place stylistically, but really enjoyable to listen to. I'm not sure how much staying power this one will have, but my knee-jerk reaction was one of enjoyment, so that's how I ended up rating this one.

Smokers Delight by Nightmares On Wax
Aug 08 2024

Meh, it was alright. Some of the songs felt like elevator music, and the songs that didn't weren't very memorable. I think this genre has come a long way since this album, but this one wasn't one I enjoyed.

OK by Talvin Singh
Aug 09 2024

I really enjoyed this album for how eclectic it was. I loved the story behind it and imagining where in the world each song was recorded as it came on. The combination of Western instruments like strings and the orchestral flute paired and juxtaposed with Indian instruments was beautiful and refreshing.

Blue Lines by Massive Attack
Aug 13 2024

From the first song, I was fairly certain this wasn't going to be a winner for me. I didn't care for the main vocalist's voice, the synthetic drum beats felt glaring and tired, and none of the lyrics really spoke to me (tbf, I was listening to this during work though so I didn't listen very intently). There were a few songs that I caught myself bopping along to as I worked though, so there's something inherently catchy about their beats at times. The rap flows were also a little reminiscent to ATCQ, with smooth playful ups and downs, so there's another small redemption. All in all, I don't see myself listening to this one again, but I appreciate the influence it had (and that I now know that "trip hop" is a thing).

Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Aug 14 2024

Good album. Neil Young has a disadvantage in this 1001 Album Project because I think his songs take a while to fully digest. Some of the songs struck me immediately, but overall I'm giving this album the benefit of the doubt to increase in value over more listens.

Tragic Songs of Life by The Louvin Brothers
Aug 15 2024

These guys are crazy. Great voices though.

Aug 16 2024

I enjoyed a lot of this album. Some of the funkier bits weren't my thing, but there was a lot of cool organ riffs. Probably won't listen to this one much again because it's not a style that resonates super strongly for me.

OK Computer by Radiohead
Aug 19 2024

This album was good, especially the singles (Karma Police and No Surprises). I didn't feel like this album took as many risks as other Radiohead albums we've heard in this project, but it's one of their earlier works and is from 1997, so that may be a factor. The spoken word "Fitter Happier" track was pretty jarring to the album flow for me, but didn't detract too much from the overall album.

Superunknown by Soundgarden
Aug 20 2024

Yeah, this one wasn't for me. It was too grungy and gave "40 year olds living in their parents basement but we're gonna make it big with our garage band one day" vibes.

Antichrist Superstar by Marilyn Manson
Aug 21 2024

I hated the album cover. I hated the singing. I hated the lyric content, with abuse-coded gems such as "I lift you up like the sweetest angel/I'll tear you down like a whore". And none of this is helped by the awfulness that has come to light about Manson himself and his disgusting abusive tendencies because the violent lyrics feel way too on the nose. I'm glad I've finally heard music from a household name, but am also glad to never ever listen to it again.

Tanto Tempo by Bebel Gilberto
Aug 22 2024

Pretty vocals, but bossanova reminds me of elevator music. It's not terrible to listen to during work, but it's not immensely interesting.

Dookie by Green Day
Aug 23 2024

I've loved this album for years because it threads a very *very* fine needle of tongue-and-cheek rebellion while still feeling authentically angsty. A non-example of this, in my opinion, would be Blink-182. Although I think their music is really fun, it doesn't have the same depth and earnestness that Green Day generally does. Also, Dookie really represents the kickoff of the pop-punk wave, which I have to pay homage to because it's a genre I enjoy so much. Finally, to highlight the contrast to other alternative/punk albums we've heard, I just love the inspiration behind one of the potentially more concerning tracks: ""Pulling Teeth", one of the album's slower songs, uses dark humor about domestic violence. The typical victim and perpetrator are reversed; the male narrator is at the mercy of his partner.[24] The band's inspiration for this song came from a pillow fight between Dirnt and his girlfriend that ended with the bassist breaking his elbow." A pillow fight. I couldn't sum up the intense Bart Simpson energy of this album any better if I tried.

Grievous Angel by Gram Parsons
Aug 28 2024

It wasn't bad, but it was pretty dang country.

Murder Ballads by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Aug 29 2024

Nick Cave and violence. My two favorite things to listen to during this project.

The Who Sell Out by The Who
Aug 30 2024

Fun album that's playful and doesn't take itself too seriously. It didn't feel super substantive to me so I'm not sure how often I'll reach to put this album on in the future.

What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
Sep 02 2024

One of the best albums to listen to with a cup of coffee on a weekend morning.

Lost In The Dream by The War On Drugs
Sep 03 2024

I think this is an album that takes longer than a day to truly appreciate, but man oh man does it have promise. Some of the musical riffs were spectacular on the first listen through, then I caught a couple more awesome ones on the second listen. Who knows what I'll find on the 10th listen?

Abraxas by Santana
Sep 04 2024

Great sound, talented musicians. I was shocked this album is from 1970 because Santana has had such lasting power in our culture that I thought he was most popular in the 90s. Great work/driving album to put on.

Sep 05 2024

This album is tricky to rate because I loved the orchestral components. The use of repetition, layering, building, and dissonance was magical and so indulgent because bands rarely spring for the whole orchestra, let alone know how to compose for it. It was the standout feature of this album for *sure*. Some of the songs and lyrics were really, reallllly cringey (I'm looking at you, "Your Dictionary"), so I was a bit let down by the lyric writing. That being said, I enjoyed the orchestra so much that I can see myself listening to this one often (but maybe I'll just remove "Your Dictionary" from the playlist first).

Run-D.M.C. by Run-D.M.C.
Sep 06 2024

This album is sort of like the Bible or Shakespeare -- as I listened to it I heard lines that I've heard referenced many times but never knew they had an origin. The prime example of this is "all you sucker MCs". I appreciate the historical impact and importance of this album, but ultimately didn't feel grabbed by any specific song. I love how much it has influenced hip hop, but don't think I'll listen to this one again.

Songs For Swingin' Lovers! by Frank Sinatra
Sep 10 2024

Sinatra has a nice voice and I enjoyed the upbeat vibe of this album. It was a fun listen, but not a very deep album -- I think every song was about love, singing to a woman with "you" or "we". Ultimately I don't seem myself listening to this one very frequently, but I did enjoy it (probably a 3.5 for me instead of a 3).

Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock
Sep 11 2024

Phenomenal instrumentals. I wish more music like this existed.

Sep 12 2024

I couldn't believe this album was from the 1970s. The punk rock sound was so fresh and energetic that I thought it must be from a more contemporary time a la Greenday. This was a really fun listen, especially from a punk history perspective. Ultimately, the songs were good but blended together a lot. Not a bad thing, but it's the main reason I don't see myself listening to this one again.

Boston by Boston
Sep 13 2024

Dive bars everywhere rejoiced when this album was released because the knew, deep in their hearts, that they would have a plethora of new songs to add to their karaoke machines.

Tusk by Fleetwood Mac
Sep 16 2024

This album has some phenomenal songs and seems like the kind of album that grows and grows on you over each listen. It was very eclectic, experimenting with different styles that leaned from glam to country to pop, but it all felt authentic and cohesive.

My Aim Is True by Elvis Costello
Sep 17 2024

Fun album. I'll listen to this one again.

B-52's by The B-52's
Sep 18 2024

A fun one. Rock Lobster for the agesssss!

Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby by Girls Against Boys
Sep 19 2024

Not really my vibe, but there were some cool musical moments (strongly disliked the vocals though).

3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul
Sep 20 2024

Fun album, entertaining lyrics. There were a lot of similarities to a Tribe Called Quest, but the smoothness of Q-Tip's bars makes Tribe rank a little higher in my book. I'll probably listen to this album again to catch more of the lyrics though.

Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
Sep 23 2024

It didn't really do much for me. It would probably take more listens to really appreciate the songs because they were so dense with story telling.

Cosmo's Factory by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Sep 25 2024

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Super fun album to dance and cook to.

Sep 27 2024

Some of the songs were cool, but the music often noticeably felt like it was using a drum machine, which was distracting and not pleasant.

C'est Chic by CHIC
Sep 30 2024

As far as disco goes, this was alright. Lots of songs that I recognized, so the iconic status made it an interesting listen. Probably won't listen again though.

To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
Oct 03 2024

I was curious how this album would compare (or not compare) to good kid mAAd city and I was genuinely impressed. Compared to gkMc this album explored themes of grappling with fame for African Americans who find success, especially if it's at all related to a perception of gaining clout based on the historic struggles of the community. I could feel Kendrick's turmoil and exhaustion at trying to raise up instead of tear down, but was really moved by how fine a needle he was able to thread of pointing out huge social issues while giving glimmers of hope. His story-telling is unparalleled and I will definitely be giving this more listens in the future.

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
Oct 07 2024

Iconic.

Shake Your Money Maker by The Black Crowes
Oct 08 2024

Eh, not really my style and none of the songs grabbed me.

Scott 4 by Scott Walker
Oct 09 2024

It felt a bit like Sinatra but without the "it" factor. Didn't really do much for me.

I Against I by Bad Brains
Oct 10 2024

Not really anything for me in this album. It's cool that this band was foundational to hardcore punk and heavy metal while also being Rastafarian and all-black, but unfortunately those genres don't really do it for me.

Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
Oct 14 2024

What a phenomenal album. I'm a sucker for dissonant, brassy syncopation and this album was indulgently full of it while somehow keeping it fresh and interesting every single time. Bravo, Sufjan.

Talking Book by Stevie Wonder
Oct 15 2024

I preferred "Innervisions" because it had more standout songs. With the exception of "Superstition" this album didn't really capture me.

Marcus Garvey by Burning Spear
Oct 16 2024

Interesting protest album. A quote from the wikipedia page was interesting to me as well "...made a deal to release it internationally, but believed the original Jamaican mix of the album to be too threatening, or at least too commercially unviable, for white audiences and therefore remixed it into what they considered a more palatable form, outraging him."

Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin
Oct 17 2024

It was fun, but I wasn't blown away by this album like I was with Led Zeppelin III.

McCartney by Paul McCartney
Oct 18 2024

It felt experimental and unfinished, which seemed very intentional.

Juju by Siouxsie And The Banshees
Oct 21 2024

Reminded me a bit of the Cranberries. I enjoyed it, but probably not a style that I will listen to much in the future.

Life's Too Good by The Sugarcubes
Oct 23 2024

This was alright. Interesting that it was what led to Bjork being Bjork.

Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury by The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
Oct 24 2024

It was okay. Granted, I didn't listen to the lyrics super closely, but not an album I anticipate listening to again.

Oct 25 2024

This was a very enjoyable album and, as Jeff said, really good morning vibes. As I was listening I was toying with the idea of rating this one a 4, but then we somehow took a detour and ended up in Girl from Ipanema purgatory. I managed to escape, but the main riff still haunts me and reminds me of the 10+minute version of that song.

Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf
Oct 28 2024

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. To be honest the name "Meatloaf" makes me picture an unhygenic obese guy with a breathy screamo voice, which I realize is not *at ALL* accurate.

3 + 3 by The Isley Brothers
Oct 29 2024
Revolver by Beatles
Oct 31 2024

I didn't have this album growing up but so many of the songs are already familiar to me. Collectively it's probably my favorite cluster of Beatles songs wrapped up in one bundle -- the perfect blend of danceable, singable, ennui-inducing, and joy.

Elephant by The White Stripes
Nov 01 2024

I missed this album when it came out because I was in the depts of being a musical theater nerd, but this album is phenomenal. Every song is interesting lyrically and musically, there are some excellent instrumental moments with exceptional talent, and the album as a whole works beautifully.

Nov 04 2024

Solid album with memorable songs and some absolute bangers. I hadn't heard an Elton John album before and was only familiar with his biggest hits, so it was cool to see how his songwriting and playing worked in other songs. The album was on the long side and I think could have been edited down (did we really need Jamaica Jerk Off?), but everything was so pleasant that I didn't mind a ton.

Dusty In Memphis by Dusty Springfield
Nov 07 2024

I enjoyed this one. Her voice is divineeeee. And her style reminds me of maybe a blend of Amy Winehouse (especially in "The Windmills of Your Mind") and Carole King.

The Yes Album by Yes
Nov 11 2024

Sort of felt like a blend of Fleet Foxes, Crosby/Stills/Nash, and the Grateful Dead with a little Phish thrown in. Great instrumental work throughout. The lyrics generally didn't capture me, but this was a fun album to listen to overall.

Vol. 4 by Black Sabbath
Nov 12 2024

Admittedly I didn't listen too attentively to this one, but it was alright. Nothing awful, nothing spectacular that stood out to me.

Nov 13 2024

It was an interesting album and I could definitely hear the Talking Heads styling -- there were a few songs that I thought were going to break into "This is not my beautiful house" a couple times. Overall I enjoyed it, but the experimental meandering of instrumentals isn't something I think I'll seek out again.

Nov 18 2024

I really enjoyed the rapping sections of this album and thought the albums theme was interesting. I didn't care for the more R&B styled sections or Hill's singing voice though, so it's a 3

Nov 22 2024

Some of the electronic vibes were really good, but overall this album was hard to listen to because of the serial killer creepy vibe. The final song was a struggle to finish because the narrator was so vividly describing atrocities, which left a very unsettling feeling as the album finished. I may have rated it a three without the final track.

KIWANUKA by Michael Kiwanuka
Nov 26 2024

This is a great album. A little black keys, a little black pumas, a little funk and soul and still utterly unique. I feel like I could listen to this album for a long time and still discover new ideas and riffs. Very, very good.

Giant Steps by The Boo Radleys
Nov 27 2024

It was fine, verrrry 90s. Palatable, pleasant, fun, but also really unoriginal. Perhaps this band was very influential and thats why it all sounded vaguely familiar, but I wasnt wowed

Siembra by Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
Nov 28 2024

Fun latin album. I enjoyed the nod to West Side Story. Probably not an album I'll listen to again because I have Buenavista to fill this itch when it needs scratching.

Blur by Blur
Nov 29 2024

Fun album with some peppy songs. Nothing really stood out to me as something I'll listen to again.

Fear Of Music by Talking Heads
Dec 02 2024

It was okay. I enjoyed some of the other Talking Heads albums more

Heroes by David Bowie
Dec 03 2024

It was fine. This has been our 3rd Bowie album and I have yet to hear one to make me understand all the hype around him. Here's to hoping one of his other albums is in the project and knocks it out of the park.

The Renaissance by Q-Tip
Dec 04 2024

I dont think I gave this album the attention it may have deserved regarding lyrics, but Q-Tip's flow is a retro delight. Playful and speedy lines that were an immediate throwback to A Tribe Called Quest, but the lyrics didn't tickle me as much as ATCQ on a first listen.

The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest
Dec 05 2024

Delightful lyrics and satisfying social commentary. I wish more hip hop was like this

Punishing Kiss by Ute Lemper
Dec 06 2024

I found this album very unpalatable. I couldn't follow any of the melodies and a lot of the songs felt dissonant, which didn't make for very satisfying or enjoyable music for me. Nick Cave collaborated on this album and it had some of the same hallmarks I associate with the albums of his that we've had in this project -- rambling and monotonous. People say his stuff is very interesting musically and I just don't get it. Ute has a great voice though.

Stankonia by OutKast
Dec 09 2024

There were some fun and silly songs and I generally liked the musicality. Some of the songs are very familiar to me because of how big OutKast was when I was in high school (Ms. Jackson). Overall I don't anticipate myself listening to this one again very often because it *is* a very long album and some of the lyrics (esp. about women) aren't my cup of tea, but I do like that I listened to the album.

Dec 10 2024

It was fine. Some of the songs felt like they took themselves too seriously, which dragged down the bits of the album that were fun.

Aja by Steely Dan
Dec 11 2024

I thought their album "Pretzel Logic" was quite good, so when I heard Aja I started to question my sanity. Had my music palette drastically altered or matured in a few short months? Had my eardrums suddenly ruptured? How could I like Pretzel Logic so much from a band that sounded like elevator music synths and cheesy middle schooler lyrics? I can't give any examples of the cringe lyrics because that would require listening to this album again, which I thoroughly refuse to do, but just know that my eyes rolled all the way back in my head for some of their gems. And then there were brief moments where there were vocal harmonies similar to CSNY or Fleet Foxes that were like the eye of a hurricane and I realized that Pretzel Logic was all that -- the only good bits from this band, all condensed into one album -- where Aja was a dumpster fire.

Electric by The Cult
Dec 12 2024

It was more palatable than a lot of rock from this subgenre, but overall not something that captivated me.

Deserter's Songs by Mercury Rev
Dec 13 2024

Ya know, I was pleasantly surprised by this album. I didn't expect the orchestral moments to be so prominent and I thoroughly enjoyed the weird whimsical vibe many of the songs had. Is this the kind of album I'll reach for again? Probably not. But am I glad I listened to it? Yup!

2112 by Rush
Dec 16 2024

it was fine in a Rush kind of way. I get why people love the drums from Rush so much because they were really the standout instrument talent-wise. No idea why the first song was 20 minutes and the others were 3-4 minutes because it made the album feel unbalanced.

Exit Planet Dust by The Chemical Brothers
Dec 18 2024

Very repetitive electronica. There was one song in particular where it felt like it was stuck on an endless loop of 2 bars.

Fever To Tell by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Dec 23 2024

I enjoyed it, but don't see myself listening to it often. It sort of leaned on the side of indie pop that I don't gravitate to.

Tapestry by Carole King
Dec 24 2024

Perfect

Lazer Guided Melodies by Spiritualized
Dec 25 2024

I really enjoyed the vibe of this band, but as an album it had some poor judgement calls. It was about 30 minutes too long without enough variation. If it had ended several songs sooner, I was ready to give it a 4.

Dec 26 2024

This is a tricky one to rate because on the one hand every song on the album has gone on to become synonymous with Christmas music. I'd heard just about every song from the album before on the radio, in movies, and/or casually around town during the holidays. It manages to capture the fun of Christmas music without being cloying or too cheesy. On the other hand, my personal guideline for this project is to save albums to my music account if I rate them a 4 or 5, but I don't want to save this album because... I don't want Christmas music to randomly pop up on shuffle.

Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones
Dec 27 2024

It started out with some promising songs, but then corrected to the Rolling Stone Mean.

Songs Of Love And Hate by Leonard Cohen
Jan 07 2025

I saw the glimmers of potential of why Leonard Cohen is such a touted artist, but I don't think this album was his finest work. Hopefully there's another album of his in this project to showcase his songs.

The White Room by The KLF
Jan 08 2025

Cringe. It reminded me of a German Electronica musical improv duo I saw once. The duo was amazing, because they were characters in on the joke. This album? Not so much.

Electric Prunes by The Electric Prunes
Jan 09 2025

A really fun album that felt a little like a blend between Beatles and Doors.

Fisherman's Blues by The Waterboys
Jan 10 2025

It was an interesting combination of rock and traditional Irish instrumentals and riffs. It reminded me a little of U2, but better. I really enjoyed this album, but also don't see myself listening to it much in the future.

Sunday At The Village Vanguard by Bill Evans Trio
Jan 14 2025

This is the kind of jazz I don't understand. I'm sure it's great by jazz standards but it didn't do anything for me.

Station To Station by David Bowie
Jan 15 2025

This is our third or fourth Bowie album and it's been a very strange introduction to his as an artist. This album was enjoyable, but I also don't see myself listening to it a ton. "Golden Years" is a standout for me but otherwise the songs didn't strike me much. I'm still holding out hope for Bowie to get a 4 or 5 for one of his most popular albums.

The Modern Dance by Pere Ubu
Jan 16 2025

There were interesting moments of this album that felt exciting and like it would be in line with punk bands I've enjoyed, like the Pretenders or maaaaybe Ramones, but the glimmers of moments didn't hold up to the more frequent unstructured chaos.

Rejoicing In The Hands by Devendra Banhart
Jan 17 2025

A super solid folk album with great guitar riffs and haunting chord progressions. I hadn't heard Banhart before, but it felt a bit like a blend of Brighteyes, Nick Drake, and maybe Andrew Bird without the whistling.

Hard Again by Muddy Waters
Jan 20 2025

Very enjoyable blues album, probably one of the favorites of the project so far.

On The Beach by Neil Young
Jan 21 2025

As with most of Young's stuff I feel like I need to give it more time to sink in than this project really allows for, so I'm giving this a 4 based on the vibe and the hope that it'll be an album that grows on me.

Moon Safari by Air
Jan 22 2025

If James Bond met Daft Punk for a French electronica adventure, this would be the resulting album. Unique and interesting vibe.

Cross by Justice
Jan 23 2025

I really liked the vibe of the first half of the album. It felt a bit like Daft Punk but a bit more raw. I didn't enjoy the second half as much because the singing didn't feel necessary to me. The song "Stress" really made me feel anxious, which was probably the intention but isn't a feeling I want to have when listening to music. I'm saving the album to my saved album list because I do think I'll listen to it again while working or playing chess, but I'll probably skip "Stress" in the future.

Joan Armatrading by Joan Armatrading
Jan 24 2025

Good voice, nice songs, but nothing really amazed me

Is This It by The Strokes
Jan 28 2025

Fun album with iconic songs. The fact that this is their first album and is still so well known is a testament to how great their style is.

Ocean Rain by Echo And The Bunnymen
Jan 29 2025

It was fine

Walking Wounded by Everything But The Girl
Jan 30 2025

This album is the exact sound of walking around a fancy department store at the mall in the early 2000's. Now the question is, do I *want* to listen to music that sounds like an early 2000's store? Nope. Not really.

Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves
Jan 31 2025

I was blown away by this album the first and second times I listened. I thought to myself, "Finally! Country music that is good!" But then I listened to the album more closely a third time and realized that most of the lyrics are pretty basic (occasionally bordering on cloying or cringe) and the instrumentation is rudimentary and almost sounds like a drum machine at times. I think my initial amazement is 100% on Musgraves voice, which I still think is beautifully crisp and ethereal. I can see why Lady A, which she sang for before releasing solo work, was a great fit for her because it allowed her vocals to shine while leaving instrumentation and lyrics to others.

Tres Hombres by ZZ Top
Feb 03 2025

Fun blues/rock album with gravelly vocals. The standout track was definitely "La Grange" for earwormability.

American Idiot by Green Day
Feb 04 2025

An extraordinarily solid album and also my introduction to Green Day. I saw "American Idiot" when it was premiering at Berkeley Rep and LOVED it, so this album has a fond place in my heart. That being said, I still think that "Dookie" is their best album.

L'Eau Rouge by The Young Gods
Feb 05 2025

My favorite part of the album was the fact that I understood what all the French song titles meant (thanks, Duolingo!). My least favorite part was literally everything else. It was messy and grungy, but not in an enjoyable way. The songs were stressful to listen to and aggressive, chaotic, and felt violent. Not something I enjoyed any of.

Ys by Joanna Newsom
Feb 07 2025

This album is a tricky one to rate because I think that in order to enjoy it I'd have to give it several dedicated listens. Newsom's voice reminds me a bit of a blend of Bjork and Regina Spektor. I enjoyed this album, but ultimately had to go with a 3 because I don't anticipate myself listening to this one much.

Dummy by Portishead
Feb 10 2025

Reading about the album and how it is considered the spearheading of "trip hop" is kind of cool. Also as someone who enjoys lofi from time to time, I can see why people like this album. However this one just wasn't for me.

Thriller by Michael Jackson
Feb 11 2025

One album with all of Jackson's biggest hits definitely deserves a 4 for how iconic it is, despite not being an album I anticipate myself listening much to.

Melodrama by Lorde
Feb 12 2025

This album is the deeper, more authentic, and relatable version of what Taylor Swift's recent work tries to do. I had to give this album several listens to ultimately decide on a rating, but on my third listen of "Liability" I realized how beautiful and thoughtful this album is. Lorde is clearly like a fine wine that is only improving since she burst onto the scene with "Royals"

Back to Basics by Christina Aguilera
Feb 13 2025

This album was on the "long" side (over an hour). As the first half played I wasn't wowed. Sure, Aguilera has a great voice, but all of the songs blended together and sounded like the same mediocre pop from my teen years (the early 2000s was an uninspired time for pop, IMO). The second half of the album, however, was surprisingly fun. I loved the vintage tones and vaudeville vibes. It was almost as if the first half of the album was made to appease the masses and the second half was Aguilera asserting her artistic voice. Overall I don't think I'll reach for this album much because of the bland first half, but it gets a solid "three" rating because of the second half.

All Hail the Queen by Queen Latifah
Feb 14 2025

This was a fun rap listen because just like the others 90's rap we've heard in this project, the lyrics were fun and playful but also making statements about the state of America and being black in the country. As an extra bonus, Latifah talks about what being a woman is like and raises others up with her lyrics. Very rah rah in a good way. Closer to 3.5 for me, but I also don't anticipate listening to this a ton.

Harvest by Neil Young
Feb 18 2025

Great Neil Young album with many of his best songs.

Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
Feb 24 2025

A solid Zeppelin album with one of my alltime favorites ("Going to California"). Not my favorite Zeppelin album because it lacks some of the whimsy of LZIII, but still very fun

Young Americans by David Bowie
Feb 25 2025

This was an enjoyable Bowie album - my favorite from what we've heard in the project so far. The songs were fun and interesting. I did find it note worthy that the songs often felt more aligned with disco than other Bowie work I'm familiar with.

Either Or by Elliott Smith
Feb 26 2025

Amazing singer songwriter with some of my all time favorite songs (Between the Bars). I could listen to this album on repeat (and did, in fact, listen to it back to back several times yesterday). I'm glad this project reminded me that Elliott Smith is amazing because I had forgotten his work.

American Beauty by Grateful Dead
Feb 27 2025

I actually enjoyed this grateful dead album. Most of the songs were familiar to me from my childhood, but I liked that the album felt cohesive and tight without too much jamming.

It's Blitz! by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Mar 03 2025

I liked this album more than the other YYY album we've had. The songs were fun and dance-y but also varied and vocally interesting.

Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits
Mar 04 2025

I enjoyed this album, especially "Walk of Life", but there were also some songs that I didn't really like so I don't see myself listening to this one a whole lot.

Tom Tom Club by Tom Tom Club
Mar 05 2025

I was surprised by how many songs I recognized from this album. The songs were fun and upbeat and I wouldn't be mad if I heard a song from this album come up on a playlist.

Fred Neil by Fred Neil
Mar 06 2025

Interesting folk album, but feels a little dated for many songs.

The Hissing Of Summer Lawns by Joni Mitchell
Mar 07 2025

I love Joni Mitchell and her voice, but this album didn't feel like her strongest to me.

American Pie by Don McLean
Mar 12 2025

I liked this album more than I anticipated. American Pie is a fun song, but it is so cliche at this point that I was bracing for an album that was overly patriotic or masculine. What I didn't expect was "Vincent," an old favorite from high school, to surface. My senior-year english teacher played Vincent for us in class and asked us to analyze it, and none of us AP students picked up on the fact that the song was about Vincent Van Gogh. After listening, this album is probably closer to a 3.5 than a 4 for me, because it does feel a little cloying at times, but overall I enjoyed it and ultimately wouldn't mind hearing it again.

Mar 13 2025

This album felt really dramatic and angsty, but without being in on the joke. It was sort of like if Queen tried to be edgy and moody, but also less good. I dunno, I liked a few of the earlier songs on the album alright but as it kept going it felt more and more immature and monotonous.

Mar 17 2025

Aretha Franklin's voice is phenomenal. She puts so much emotion into every note that it's impossible not to root for her.

The Slim Shady LP by Eminem
Mar 18 2025

Ugh. So much violence against women and general utter disrespect for women. Being edgy at the expense of a marginalized group isn't something that resonates for me when it comes from a straight white dude. What a waste of flow style and lyrical talent when it's used for such horrendous songs. I can't appreciate literally *any* song on this album. If you want to make a statement, Marshall, then talk about politics or injustice, not shock and awe value.

Trio by Dolly Parton
Mar 19 2025

This album was delightful. Just three female icons hanging out, singing, and harmonizing. Even though it's not really my music style (country), this album brought me joy.

Bitte Orca by Dirty Projectors
Mar 20 2025

I really enjoyed this album. I know Jeff has been a huge fan of this artist for years but they were never really on my radar. I love that they have a similar musical complexity to Vampire Weekend but without the preppy New England vibe. The songs all felt really vibrant and different from one another without sacrificing cohesiveness.

Let England Shake by PJ Harvey
Mar 21 2025

It was fine. I didn't enjoy it as much as the other PJ Harvey album we had in this project.

Graceland by Paul Simon
Mar 24 2025

I like the music in this one and the collaboration was really interesting and unique

Eliminator by ZZ Top
Mar 25 2025

This was the sound of every dive bar in America. It was fine, but a little "biker gang" for me

Superfly by Curtis Mayfield
Mar 27 2025

This was a fun album. If more funk and disco were like this, I'd like the whole genre more.

Mar 28 2025

After the first song I was actually excited for this album. I really enjoyed the first song ("The Man Comes Around") and felt like I finally understood what people see in Cash as an artist. However, the rest of the album didn't work very well for me. At best the songs were fine, at their worst they sounded very much like an old man meandering and also flirting with being out of tune. As an aside, Bridge Over Troubled Water as sung by Simon and Garfunkel is such a vocal powerhouse that Cash's version was pretty offputting. I understand he was going for a different style, but it didn't work for me. For "old dudes doing comforting covers of songs" my vote still goes to Willie Nelson's Stardust. That being said, this was probably the Cash album I've enjoyed most of his from this project.

Imagine by John Lennon
Apr 01 2025

Oh Yoko!!

Parachutes by Coldplay
Apr 04 2025

It felt a little too angsty for me. Not enough uppers to balance out the fEeLiNgSsS.

Reggatta De Blanc by The Police
Apr 07 2025

Meh. Didn't care for the reggae vibes and the lead vocalist's voice just sounded strained to me. I can see how his style works in some of the Police's most popular songs, but for this album as a whole it didn't work for me

Be by Common
Apr 08 2025

It was alright. I enjoyed some of the musical moments, like the opening of the first song.

Tank Battles by Dagmar Krause
Apr 09 2025

This is what I imagine people who don't like musicals think musicals sound like. Granted I didn't have a chance to listen to the lyrics very closely, but what I gathered from the instrumentation wasn't my cup of tea.

World Clique by Deee-Lite
Apr 10 2025

"Groove is in the Heart" is a romcom-movie-montage legend, but every song sounded like a vaguely less-good version of it. Overall this album seemed iconic for the time and also has strong continued presence in gay culture, but isn't something I'm into.

Goo by Sonic Youth
Apr 11 2025
Maggot Brain by Funkadelic
Apr 14 2025

The best psychedelic funk I've ever heard. Every song is 10/10

G. Love And Special Sauce by G. Love & Special Sauce
Apr 16 2025

I enjoyed the vibe of this. Sort of Gorillas, Cake, funky rap. Very unique, interesting, and well done overall.

Apr 18 2025

At first I was excited because it sounded like the Ramones but a little more raw, but as the album went on I got over it and the edginess pretty quickly

Pearl by Janis Joplin
Apr 21 2025

I loved this album. I wasn't super familiar with many of Joplins songs, and holy moly this album was beautiful and soulful and an excellent vibe. Closer to a 4.5 for me

Here's Little Richard by Little Richard
Apr 28 2025

High energy fun. More like a 3.5 because I don't anticipate listening to this a ton, but it's still very delightful.

The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter by The Incredible String Band
Apr 30 2025

This felt kind of rambling and meandering to me. Psychedelic folk seems like something I'd be into, but this one didn't work well for me.

Casanova by The Divine Comedy
May 01 2025

This one wasn't very pleasant. I didn't care for the singer's voice at all, and the instrumentation and melodies felt disjointed the majority of the time. There were a few glimmers of interest, but overall I didn't enjoy this very much.

Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Jan 06 2026

Eh, it was fine. I think this style of music just isn't my thing so it's hard to rate higher than a three.

The Predator by Ice Cube
Jan 07 2026

It was fine, most of the songs blended together for me and none of the messages packed a lasting punch. "Today was a good day" is iconic though.

Jan 08 2026

I liked the message and vibe of this album. I was excited to see that Michael Kiwanuka is an artist on it and some of the songs definitely had a similar flavor to his other work I've heard. Although this was an R&B album, which is historically a genre that doesn't resonate with me, I thought this was a great modern take on it with really interesting rhythms. For a while I was thinking this could be a 4/5, but the albums length really got to me in the end (an hour) and the songs started feeling similar to one another, which meant that ultimately I don't see myself listening to this one much.

ehhh really not for me. The vocals were grating and the topics were immature in a way I couldn't identify with. What I mean is that if I had been an angry angsty teenage boy this album would slap hard, but I never was and never plan to be so... That being said, some of the instrumentation and beats were catchy and I get why people like this band, which saved this album from being a 1/5

Moondance by Van Morrison
Jan 12 2026

So great. So many iconic songs that have engrained themselves in our culture. Great morning vibes, great afternoon vibes, and an album length that leaves you wanting more.

Live! by Fela Kuti
Jan 13 2026

It was fine. World music doesn't often "wow" me, but it didn't mind listening to this. Nothing really stood out to me though.

Architecture And Morality by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
Jan 14 2026

Interesting concept for an album but it didn't wow me. After two listens I still don't think I could tell you much about it.

Gris Gris by Dr. John
Jan 15 2026

It was an interesting style, the New Orleans Bob Dylan, if you will.

A Date With The Everly Brothers by The Everly Brothers
Jan 16 2026

Their harmony style is so iconic for the time period and I think that they were a huge influence on others because of this. Fun, Grease-like vibes that bring youthful joy, but also not something I gain a lot from when listening. It was sort of like popcorn -- enjoyable but not very substantive.

Eagles by Eagles
Jan 19 2026

This particular subgenre of rock (soft rock, I think?) is fine, but also a little boring. Is it listenable? Sure. Am I excited by it? Meh.

Skylarking by XTC
Jan 21 2026

It had some interesting melodies and riffs, but I didn't care for the lead singer's voice.

Jan 22 2026

It was pretty grunge, which I had a hard time with. The instrumentals were interesting at times

Boy In Da Corner by Dizzee Rascal
Jan 23 2026

This was an interesting blend of rap and techno (and let's be honest, a london accent rapping doesn't hurt for an anglophile like me). Still, not something that resonated deeply for me so I don't see myself listening to it much, but I appreciate what it brings to the table.

Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys
Jan 26 2026

It was fun and the beastie boys are iconic and so influential on hip hop and culture (hello, hamilton!) but none of the songs really grabbed my attention. Admittedly I was mostly listening to this as background music while I worked, but everything seemed to blend toogether. I want to give this one another try with a more-dedicated listen but for now it's a three.

The College Dropout by Kanye West
Jan 27 2026

Okay... but why was this so good though? I had never really listened to Kanye before and even though people said he was great all I knew about him was how batshit crazy he's gotten, but yeah -- this album was amazing. Ever song was beautifully crafted with a blend of styles throughout the album that were playful while staying thematic.

Scream, Dracula, Scream by Rocket From The Crypt
Jan 28 2026

The instrumentation and melodies were really fun and reminded me a lot of Greenday+ska. For that part of the album I would have given it a 4, but the vocals really weren't my taste. It was like Pearl Jam trying to go punk.

Wonderful Rainbow by Lightning Bolt
Jan 29 2026

Eh, the vibe on this one was confusing to me. It was catchy at times, but overall not really my thing.

Time Out by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Feb 03 2026

Clean, fun jazz. I wish I knew how to find more jazz like this easily. Standout track was "Blue Rondo à la Turk"

Feb 04 2026

Some electronica is an exciting discovery, but this just felt like the kind of background music that would be really good at a rave and not anywhere else.

Feb 05 2026

eh, it was interesting sorta punk, but punk is a tricky genre for me to enjoy. Sometimes it's great, but sometimes it just sounds like a guy yelling energetically and rhythmically. This album toed the line somewhere in between for me.

m b v by My Bloody Valentine
Feb 06 2026

Im very conflicted on this one because many many moments of it were so cool and beautiful in a Radiohead-esque style, but then I would be rudely torn away from my vibing by weird dissonances and noisy fuzz. I only had time to listen through once, so I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt and try to give another listen or two to truly judge. I think this would be an excellent album to listen to while really really baked.

Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens
Feb 09 2026

What a lovely album with sweet songs and pleasant vibes. Brings me back to my college days when I discovered Cat Stevens.

Court And Spark by Joni Mitchell
Feb 10 2026

I really enjoyed this album. It was a blend of calm and quiet, but also fun and boppin'

Arular by M.I.A.
Feb 11 2026

Such a fun style! I've always enjoyed MIA's hits when I've heard them but never listened to a full album. I'm going to listen to this one a lot more!

One World by John Martyn
Feb 13 2026

It was okay. I thought I would enjoy a 70s singer songwriter style a bit more but the voice style was tough for me to get into

Feb 16 2026

It was fine. I listened to it in the car on a roadtrip so maybe I missed some of the finer points, but it was a fun album just not really my style

Feb 18 2026

meh. old school country is a hard sell in the best of circumstances. this ain't it

Music From Big Pink by The Band
Feb 19 2026

It was okay. Sort of similar vibe to the Eagles, where it was pleasant but nothing really wowed me

Blackstar by David Bowie
Feb 23 2026

This is my favorite Bowie album we've had in this project, despite it being one of his newer works (2016). I loved that it was exploratory of modern motifs, similar to Radiohead and a little bit of pop a la Twenty One Pilots. Each song was unique and interesting.

Birth Of The Cool by Miles Davis
Feb 24 2026

I feel sacrilegious giving this a 3, but I just didn't really wow me. Sorry Miles Davis

L.A. Woman by The Doors
Feb 26 2026

Great album, fun doors. Almost every song is a banger

The Message by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
Feb 27 2026

The first half of this album was fun and fresh. I think that Grandmaster Flash is iconic and has integrated with the like... fabric of culture itself, because so many riffs and lines were recognizable to me. But then the album slowed down into R&B and 7+ minute songs and lost all steam. R&B doesn't often catch my interest, and I didn't enjoy his voice enough to appreciate back to back slow songs after such high octane energy.

Mothership Connection by Parliament
Mar 02 2026

I love Parliament's funk vibe. It's always a blast to listen to, and the iconic "Give Up the Funk" is a standout track

The Wall by Pink Floyd
Mar 04 2026

Full disclosure: I listened to half of this during work and thought it was kind of average but then I accidentally saw Jeff gave it a 5, so I decided to give it a more dedicated listen with headphones while I colored and I'm so glad I did. This album made me feel so freaking emotional, and in a wide range too. Furious, devastated, hopeless, frustrated, and always peppered in with little glimmers of beauty and hope. It is a very different album than Dark Side, but I love it equally. Pink Floyd excels at putting together an album that stands as a piece of art, and I'll definitely be giving this album a lot more ear time.

Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Mar 09 2026

This album was... lengthy and a little rough around the edges. Other Zeppelin albums we've had have felt crisp musically, but the mess was m e s s y in this one. It was cacophonous at times, and not in an enjoyable way. There were some wonderful tracks with the standout being, of course, "Kashmir" but overall these didn't redeem the album as a whole for me.

There were a lot of fun songs on this album, with a few favorites including "Victoria" and "Australia". The musical stylings were interesting because they had variety but with particular notes of Beatles influences as well as some softer, more modern sounds like Wilco.

I See A Darkness by Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Mar 11 2026

This reminded me a lot of Nick Cave, but less terrible. Not really for me.

The Bends by Radiohead
Mar 13 2026

I love Radiohead, and think that almost every song they make falls on a spectrum of whiney to psychadelic and they usually find a beautiful sweet spot between the two, but this album leans more "whiney" than psychedelic. It's still really good, but probably not the Radiohead album I'll reach for when opuses like "In Rainbows" "KidA" and even "A Moon Shaped Pool" exist (I haven't head the other Radiohead albums yet so no thoughts on those).

Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
Mar 16 2026

I've always loved Norah Jones's voice and vibe. This is a perfect Sunday morning album: calming, soulful, and beautiful. Many of the songs blend seamlessly into one another, but it works well for this album.

Nilsson Schmilsson by Harry Nilsson
Mar 17 2026

This album is tough to rate because the opening track is SO strong ("Gotta Get Up"). I also recognized several songs from the album that have been meme-ified over the years ("Without You" and "Coconut"). All from an artist I had no name recognition for. That being said, because of the memed nature I just don't see myself taking this album seriously in the future because the standout track came and went so quickly.

Drunk by Thundercat
Mar 19 2026

I didn't like a moment of this album. It was elevator jazz/r&b/dated funk plus some modern profanity. Giving this a 1 feels harsh, considering the company it would keep, but I gave it some thought. It's probably closer to a 1.5 for me.

Urban Hymns by The Verve
Mar 23 2026

This band reminds me of a blend of Radiohead and Oasis. That being said, I prefer Radiohead and Oasis to them, but there are some standout tracks like "Bittersweet Symphony". The album is too long without need, but overall was decent - probably closer to 3.5 stars for me

In Utero by Nirvana
Mar 24 2026

I've been looking forward to having a Nirvana album because I know they're a big effing deal and so many people love them. I thought this album was... okay. I really *want* to like it, but grunge is tough for me to get into. Usually when I give an album a 3 I won't listen to it again, but I'm hoping that if I add this album into my queue from time to time it'll grow on me.

The Madcap Laughs by Syd Barrett
Mar 26 2026

This was such a cool album to listen to and read the history about. Syd Barrett was originally in Pink Floyd but left the bad before this album was released. It sounds like Barrett kinda went bananas (too much acid, maybe?) and crashed and burned in Pink Floyd. I used that for context on some of the songs and it made the album richer. Also I learned that the falling out of Pink Floyd and Barrett is one of the inspirations for work on Dark Side of the Moon which adds a new layer to that phenomenal album (one of my top albums of all time). As for the music itself, it was an interesting style blend of Beatles + Kinks + psychedelic with a bit of humor and whimsy sprinkled in liberally. I don't see myself listening to this one much, but I appreciate that it was part of the project.

Tracy Chapman by Tracy Chapman
Mar 30 2026

There was a lot to enjoy here -- varied melodies and stylings, a serene voice, thoughtful lyrics. But it also felt too lofty/preachy about *issues*. Even though I'm in agreement with much of what Chapman sang about, hearing on-the-nose lyrics was a little cringe at times. I think this album hovers between a 3 or 4 for me.

A Girl Called Dusty by Dusty Springfield
Mar 31 2026

I really enjoyed this album. So many of the songs were surprisingly familiar to me, with very fond places in my heart. I love "Mama Said" and "You Don't Own Me" to kick of the album with a bang. Dusty's voice and ability to emote in her singing is phenomenal.

New Wave by The Auteurs
Apr 01 2026

I liked this. It was sort similar to elliot Smith but peppier

Apr 02 2026

Some interesting ideas but I kept getting pulled out of the vibe by lyrics that felt overly pretentious to me. I liked the sampling and beats though

Joan Baez by Joan Baez
Apr 03 2026

Her voice was unique but I didn't really like it

Goodbye And Hello by Tim Buckley
Apr 06 2026

This was so dated, from the organ instrumentation to his warbly singing voice. I also kept waiting to hear "Hallelujah" but I 1000% thought there was just one musical Buckley.

Apr 07 2026

I enjoyed a lot of this for electronica "work music". The repeated vocals acting as instrumentation threw me off a bit the first time I listened to the album but the second time I saw the vision a little more. I think that if I listen to this album more they'll disappear into the music entirely and leave behind a very fun album in their stead.

Being There by Wilco
Apr 08 2026

The first half of the album was hit or miss for me, but the second half sold me. It also helped me understand why Jeff likes Wilco -- it's sort of a blend of Bright Eyes and Bruce Springsteen.

Elvis Is Back by Elvis Presley
Apr 09 2026

Elvis is good, he's fine. Fun to listen to, but won't reach for it much

In Our Heads by Hot Chip
Apr 10 2026

Sort of a blend between lcd Soundsystem, cage the elephant, and generic club electronic beats. The first two aspects were exciting but the third dragged the album as a whole.

Apr 13 2026

When this album started I immediately had a memory spring into my mind from college of this song my roommate and I were *obsessed* with. I hadn't thought about the song in years and it took me a beat to even remember the name. When I finally remembered, I realized it was on this album! "Dry Your Eyes" is a very lovely song with a nice beat and good emotions elicited. For the album as a whole, I enjoyed the lead singer's London rap style (I'm a sucker for a British accent, okay?). The operatic nature of the album telling a story was cringey to me because it was so melodramatic -- boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy fights with girl, boy cheats on girl, girl cheats on boy?!!?!, turns out it was with boys FRIEND?!!?!!!?!, boy and girl break up, boy sees hope. Luckily for us, we got a beautiful breakup song with all the good feels in Dry Your Eyes, but the rest of the songs weren't really for me.

Odessa by Bee Gees
Apr 14 2026

I was surprised by this album. When I think of the Bee Gees I think disco, but this felt more similar to Beatles/Kinks, which makes sense because it was from the 60's. The non-disco vibe made me enjoy it more than I thought I would, but still nothing really grabbed my interest.

Apr 15 2026

It was mediocre and saccharine and way too praisey for my taste.

Kimono My House by Sparks
Apr 21 2026

Wow I really enjoyed this. It was silly and fun and there were several songs where I could tell the band was having a blast playing.

1999 by Prince
Apr 22 2026

This was a fun album. A lotta talk about sex. Like... a lot a lot. Guys, I think Prince liked sex.

The Sounds Of India by Ravi Shankar
Apr 23 2026

I thought it was really cool that the musician made this album specifically to share his love of Indian music with the western world. He often spoke on the album to explain different beats and chords and how they're used, and then demonstrated them in a song. While I enjoyed the mission and the music, it also didn't really capture me fully, potentially for the very reasons the musician was trying to educate about. Glad I listened to this, but don't see myself listening again.

Cafe Bleu by The Style Council
Apr 28 2026

Admittedly I was listening to this during work as background music, but the only moments that stood out to me were not because they were enjoyable.

Vincebus Eruptum by Blue Cheer
Apr 29 2026

Admittedly I was listening to this during work as background music, but the only moments that stood out to me were not because they were enjoyable.

Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
Apr 30 2026

Great album. Every song hits it out of the ballpark. I love the subject matter Alanis sings about because it's personal and speaks to feelings everyone has, but also doesn't fall into the lyrical tropes of love and heartache.

Made In Japan by Deep Purple
May 01 2026

This was a fun sound. It was a bit like the Doors but more raw. Lots of fun solos and riffs. I probably won't listen to this one much again because it's a bit too shreddy for my typical taste, but I did enjoy listening

Vivid by Living Colour
May 05 2026

This was a weird album. The first half was like the kind of rock music you hear in a dingey American bar where all the tables are sticky, and then the second half was.... reggae? funk? what?? Maybe I'm missing something, but this album felt confusing and unenjoyable.

Wordsmith

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Other

Album origins are grouped into three buckets: US, UK, and everything else. “Other” means the artists you rate highest are from outside the US and UK.